Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-04-19

OF answering conundrums, not arising from spe-
cihc complaints which the law authorizes them to
consider, and IN their ruling published in yester-
days STAR state the limits of their jurisdiction and
powers This important utterance OF the commits
sion, while IL apparently avoids the questions to
which II applied and refers the questioners the
railroads and courts for the preliminary and ulti-
mate constructions OF the law, points out the
method by which such questions can come before
them, and makes a suggestion, which, If observed,
VIII prevent ninety-nine out OF one hundred OF
such questions from ever arising. The fruitful
cause Of these conundrums is the attitude of the
railroads, which enforce vigorously, promptly and
literally everything In the law that can possibly
tend to swell their revenues, endeavor to suspend
or avoid everything which can reduce their
charges, and fall into panic-Stricken condition
at the idea of running the risk OF a penalty by
giving liberal construction to the clauses au-
thOrizing reduced rates In certain cases. With
many of the roads the purpose is twofold, to make
money, and to create discomforts which may be
attributed to the law bringing to it IL possible
popularity and repeal. The commission say that
there Is nothing novel In the provisions OF
the law establishing the general principles
under which Interstate commerce must now be
conducted They simply bring back the business
OF the common carriers to the wellsettled prfn-
cipes Of the common law alleged difficulties
In putting them In operation only disclose ex-
violated in the past" The commission also point
out that the heavy penalties ABOUT which the
railroads express so much alarm when reduced
rates are asked in any case apply only TO tnten-
uonal viOlatorS Of the law, and are to be grad
uated By the court acc Ording to the enOrmity Of
the O6enSe. Penalties are for wilful violations OF
the law and not for errors of Judgment. 'sThe
language and the tenor Of the act wholly fail TO
justify railroad managers, If any such there be,
TO refuse TO accept responsibilities, decline TO
offer rates, neglect to announce conditions of
trafic, embarraSs the customary interchange OF
business and impose StagnatiOn upon trade while
they stick in the bark of the phrases and eX-
pressons of the law, inventing doubts and i'm
agtning dangers 1t is still more unJuStifiable for
railroad companies to make use of the general
clauses of the law, ignoring its modifying and
charging. words and formulas In order to impose
additional burdens upon localities, trades, profess
SionS, manufacturers, consumers, classes OF trav-
elers or employees, straining and REFRESHING every
construction in favor OF the corporate treasury,
and quoting the new law as their authority for all
manner OF petty exactiOnS." 1t is to be hoped
that the terrorS OF the railroads viii be suff-
GENTLY allayed by these declarations Of the COM
mission to permit reason TO resume the sway from
which avar1ce and mock panic have driven II.
The observations OF the commission go straight to
the mark. The violation of sound business prin-
eiples by railroads In the past, and corporate in
genuity and malice of the present, are RESPONSE
bic in large for the socalled evils Of the
interstate commerce law.
The politicians are at loss to decide what is
the most advantageous method of handling the
cOlored vote, and there Is lurking suspicion that
after the politicians have made UP their minds on
the subject the colored vote may refuse to be
handled The utterances of the speakers at the
emancipation celebration last night suggest this
comment The President made carpet-bag ap-
pointmentS OF couple OF his northern cOlored
strikers to Office in the District OF Columbia,
ignoring the resident colored population which
had hitherto been supposed TO contain many OF
the best representatives OF the race. He did this
he said, sin just recognition" OF the colored race
Thedemocratic party did not approve his action.
A part OF the republican party welcomed the ap-
pointments, and the Presidents attempt to break
down the color line, and with supposed party
advantage In view endorsed the Presidents policy
In the expectation that division of the colored
vote In the south would cause the white vote Of
that section to divide also, upon economic ques-
lions, and that number Of states from the solid
south would thus be won over to the republican
party on the issue OF protection Other republi-
cans took the view that the Presidents action un-
ENDORSED by the democratic party OF which the
principles and platform were violated by the ap-
pOintments, would have no appreciate effect In
winning democratic votes among the negroes
especially IN view OF The suppression of
the negro vote and alleged outrages in
democratic states. They were not ready
10 say TO the southern negroes that the only way
In which they could secure the rights OF American
citizens was by voting the democratic ticket They
believed that IL white voters OF the south were
converted 70 the republican side OF the protection
issue, they would vote in national affairs the re-
publican ticket, and desiring the success OF the
protection party, they would welcome fellow
voters or whatever color, and would laugh at the
idea that some needed votes must be cast against
protection as condition OF their votes for it.
Concerning the condition of the co,ored vote in
the south they held 10 the views expressed By
Blaine after his defeat. The opinions OF the first
class OF republicans are suggested by sherman, in
very cautious and guarded manner, In his Nash
Vile speech There is some confusion among the
colored people. few are of the opinion that they
might vote for Cleveland, but not a democrat or
that they would vote for Cleveland If he were not
democrat; while others view the northern COL
ored men who accept democratic appointment as
traitors 10 their southern brethren and deserving
the fate OF Judas. 1t viii be hard for the coIored
people 10 accept even republican invitation 10
leave the republican party.
MI. Parnen has lost no time In publicly con.
demning as forgery his alleged letter published
oy the London Times IL is 10 be hoped that he
will go further than this, and prosecute TO the
last extremity OF the Law, the authors OF the az
tempt 10 faSten disgrace upon him, If he can trace
the outrage home 10 them. This will be deemed
necessary 10 his complete vindication by persons
" a